Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-10-14

sible, grasped him tightly about the
neck, hindering his movements
Kampei, finding the place shallow,
/ put his feet upon the ground, but to
bis terror they sank into deep mud,
and he felt the water gradually ris-
ing upon him. He strained every
muscle, but the water still mounted
until they were both covered. A
roar as of thunder filed his ears, and
his head seemed about to burst, but
he managed to preserve some cool
ness BY violent effort he loosen
ed Niya's frantic embrace. aud still
grasping her clothing, struggled out
of the mud and gained firm foot
hold, exhausted and gasping for
breath
Though his strength was almost
gone and his knees he held Niya to
his breast, looking an1iously into her
face. Her eyes were closed, and her
head fell heavily on his arm, the hair,
from which the fastenings were gone,
falling over his shoulder in a thick
mass and floating on the stream
The incident had been observed
from the chaya, and a number of men
now stood on the bank, by whose aid
the two were soon placed in safety
When Kampei had seen TIE girl re-
stored TO animation and given in
charge Of the female servants, he was
forced to join the other guests by
whom he was clapped on the shoul-
ders and praised as hero.
He slept soundly until awoke by
the harsh sound of the shutters be-
ing moved in grooves aud by the
sunlight pouring in through the
semi-trsnsparent screens Being de-
sirous of avoiding Niya be did not
wait for breakfast. but set out at
once.
Kampei was overjoyed on reaching
home to ind his parents Well and
happy, their only trouble since his
departure having been that caused
| by the ayarice Of their landlord lie
was panied to hear of O. Suba's un-
feeling words on the occasion of his
mothers visit to the cottage, and
tho old lady's story made 1t evident
that the subsequent sending of the
money was chiefly due to Niya's ln-
tercession. Then it occurred to him
that the girls present position might
be owing to q quarrel with her rela-
tive on this very subject, and the
idea made him remorseful. Finally
he was Informed that, despite her en-
gagement to him, O-Suba had during
his absence found another lover, a
European trader at one the ports,
with hair and beard golden as the
tress of the sun goddess, and that
there were rumors of their approach
| ing marriage.
His thoughts turned to poor Niya,
neglected by her relatives, insulted
by him, and loft to battle alone with
a world that is so cruel to the weak
Kampei long lay awake that night,
and the result of his meditatiops was
made known to his parents when he
sprang from his mat soon after day
break The old couple approved of
his proposals, and went to the veran-
da to say farewell, and to watch him
fondly as he walked with light
step towards the highway, tying un-
der big chin as hQ went his oopioal
broad brimmed straw hat Before he
had gone far his father called him
back. Take my purse, son." be
said; "chaya keepers are very hard to
deal with unless they see the money
bag in your hand You will fnd in
this tie gold pieces you brought
home yesterday"
The sun was still high in the heav-
ems when kanlpei stopped at the
"Chaya of the Verdant Cherry Bios
son." and, after exchanging saluta-
tions with the proprietors, begged to
see the girl Niya. She was brought
into his presence, looking pale and
alarmed, and casting timid glanceg at
the young man from under her long
lashes. Her hands played nervous
ly with her robe and she looked
about anxiously for place as far as
possible from Kampei
"Niya," he said, II am not angry
with you, but [ want to know Why
you left home"
A faint cry was her only reply.
Had l any connection with it
1, Kampei ?"
The girl wrung her hands and
turned her face away, looking dis
tressed, without, however, gtterihg
o word.
"Would you like to come home
again, little Niya 7" he went on in an
encouraging voice.
"Yab, yah you are too fast, young
sir broke in the master, who was
sitting on the veranda smoking, and
listening to Kampei. 81 on are too
fast. She is mine for two years. |
have the agreement siGped ~ hef'
self, with her receipt for the money"
"Money I" cried Kampei. "She
has sold herself, then. But he con-
tinued more calmly, 81 am willing to
pay you back again. See," and say
ing this he drew out his purse, shoE-
ing to the master OF the house num-
Der of gold coins. "How much was
it, l pray you, good sir?"
eighty riyos," the host replied.
Eighty riyos," echoed Kampei,
light dawning rpon hiT,
1"Why," the host went on angrily,
that is the very purse in which l
gave the girl the money. and yet you
pretend not to know that she is bound
to me What is the meaning ofthis
decei,?"
Kampei recviled. All was now
plain to him. To save his parents
from rain, bis father probably from
death, this poor girl, tenderly reared,
sold herslf into virtual slavery,
exhuusting labor, ill-treatment, even
stripes, would be her lot! And he had
almost allowed her to drown herself
when driven mad by his tapntsi Poor
Niya! And she did this rof-was it
for his parents or for him? The ques-
made thoughtful
Meanwhile Niya, her forehead
pressed against the partition, sobbed.
The moment she longed for had ar
rived. Kampei now knew why she